Wichita eagle., 1887-10-22

took my hand when the interpreter tolo
him that l was not of the nation of his
conquerOrs, and gave it right royal
squeeze. 1 advised his majesty to present
the queen and prince of Wales with lot
of ostrich feathers on his approaching
visit Spring of 1892 to England, but he
gave but q mournful smile, shook his head
and pointed to his surroundings, plainly
furnished room, few wicker seats, a
table and a colossal arm chair, the poor
old fellows throne, and mournfully ex-
claimed, "This is all have" felt sorry
had mentioned the subject, and with an
other hearty grip Of the royal hand which
partially evaded 1 took my departure
for the day. His majesty expressed a de-
sire to see me again
THE MONARCH'S SEVEN WIVES.
A few weeks later / called to bid him
farewell, business demanding my return
to Kimberly. l had brought with me as
parting gift, dcg-a handsome New
misunderstanding learned that he had
often expressed wish for one Cetewayo
on this occasion wore navy blue suit of
serge and Zanzibar fez or cap made of
| cameFs hair. l had to endure the shake
again, but suffered gladly for the sake of
witnessing his delight to behold one who
was not OF a people he hated His voice
| rang out in volume of sound that caused
a stampede in an adjoining room, and
seven merry, twinkling, mischievous pairs
of black eyes looked in to see what was
the topic of discussion. But a royal roar
made them skip back to their own domin-
ion, their fat black faces disappearing like
startled fawns at a lions roar, one falling
over the other in their hurry TO obey. |
thought his majesty was jealous of letting
strangers eyes behold his merry wives.
Tor they were lightly attired-clad Zulu
fashion in a coat Of shining, not very aro-
matte oil, numerous anklets, bracelets
and necklets and gigantic earrings, all
made of large white and blue beads.
did him injustice. Five minutes later
he had seen and highly approved of the
dog-his delight was unbounded. The
merry harem was called in. and / beheld
their majesties of Zululand, and royal
specimens of their people they were. each
able 10 vanquish three or four of the stout
est white men in Africa. so the kim
proudly stated | didn't express anv
doubts. They were too near and the aroma
Was strong The climax of kincly graft
tude was reached when his sable majesty
offered me the choice of one of the lot. To
quote the interpreters literal translation:
''Oh, stranger, you have gladdened the
heart of the friendless king. and he loves
you like a brother In his own land he
would say: Behold here mine. the kings
Naal. Three hundred wives are there and
5000 head of cattle. Take of my album
dance, for the kings brother is welcome
to all. But my kingdom is gone. though
my heart remains. | would honor you a.
king would Ike TO do honor to friend.
He has only the seven gazelle eyed daugh-
tiers of his people. He loves them and
clings 10 them. but take the one that
pleaseS you best oh. my brother and if
return 10 my land my people shall do thee
honor and will welcome thee
AN UNPLEASANT PREpIcAMENT.
Momentarily l was paralyzed An
other wife! jerusalem and a black one!
Well, thanked his majesty for the in
tended honor, told him that my seraclio''
was already overstocked; in my country
four was the maximum a man OF moder-
ate fortune could well manage TO handle. (
However. thanked him kindly. What
the INTERPRETER told him / never could as
certain: suffice ii to say that the whole /.
royal crowd abandoned their dignity and !
laughed till tears started, and three picka- 4
ninnies commenced to bawl Ce;ewayo !
wanted to shake hands and the youngest /
merry septuple wanted 70 hug me. ] /
evad % both by produeang another acs a
en>factsonerv and calm was restored But /